Colorado Governor creates evidence preservation task force

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter this week announced the creation of a 21-member task force to examine how state law enforcement officials collect and preserve evidence and to make recommendations on potential policy reforms. A

four-day Denver Post series

in July investigated cases nationwide in which evidence had been lost or mishandled, and an editorial in yesterday’s Denver Post calls on the new task force to create strong state standards for evidence preservation.

Colorado does not have a comprehensive set of rules governing evidence preservation. Each police department and sheriff's office has been left to set up its own guidelines for preserving evidence in criminal cases.

The panel the governor has named includes a variety of professionals who have an in-depth understanding of the criminal prosecution and legislative processes. They include current and former defense attorneys and prosecutors, lawmakers, a former judge and various law enforcement and public safety officials.

It's a strong group, and we look forward to seeing the solutions they craft.

Read the full editorial here

. (09/13/2007)

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